BUILDING REGULATIONS & PERMITS

Building Regulations

Residents must obtain a permit from the Building Department located in City Hall before proceeding with building repair or remodeling projects. All contractors and subcontractors must be licensed and bonded with the City before permits can be processed. Information is available through the Collector’s Office at 708-788-2660.

Compliance Inspections

At the time a property is listed for sale with a Realtor or by owner, the property must be inspected for compliance with all city ordinances. If violations do exist, this ordinance allows the seller adequate time to rectify any problems prior to sale, thereby expediting the closing on the home.

PERMIT REGULATIONS FOR HOME/ BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT & CONSTRUCTION

Permits are required on all improvements made to buildings and property, including but not limited to, the following work: electrical and plumbing; concrete or asphalt; HVAC or boiler; all demolition (including permit for dumpsters); dormers or additions; interior and exterior structural alterations; garages; replacement windows and glass block; porches, decks, and steps; sewer replacement; fences and gates; swimming pools and hot tubs; roofing; kitchen and bathroom remodeling; cabinet removal and replacement; and drywall. Permits are not required for inside painting, cleaning, appliance installation or replacement and floor coverings. For more information, go to Berwyn-IL.gov/government/departmental-directory/ building-department or call 708-788-2660 ext 6442

ANIMAL & PET REGULATIONS

Backyard Chickens

Berwyn City Council lifted the local ban on chickens in March 2016 with an amendment to its Offensive Keeping of Animals ordinance. Backyard chickens are legal to keep in residents’ backyards. Learn more at Berwyn-IL.gov.

Dog And Cat Regulations

City ordinance limits the number of pets (combination of cats and dogs) to three (3) per building or using the same premises. All dogs and cats must be licensed with the City at a fee of $10 per year, per pet, due in June. Applications are only available in-person at City Hall.

GARBAGE & RECYCLING

ELECTRONIC & HAZARDOUS WASTE RECYCLING

Residents receiving Waste Management services through the City of Berwyn will be able to utilize At Your Door. By contacting Waste Management, a resident can schedule a pick-up of home-generated special materials (ex: automotive products, garden chemicals, paint products, electronics, items containing mercury, household cleaners, and sharps, needles and lancets) at no extra cost. Learn more at wmatyourdoor.com, call 800-449-7587 or email atyourdoor@wm.com

GARBAGE PICK-UP

Place bagged household garbage in the waste containers provided by Waste Management for weekly pick-up. The disposal of large household appliances, building materials, or other large accumulations of materials can be arranged directly with Waste Management at 800-964-8988 or at home.wm.com/berwyn

RECYCLING & YARD WASTE

Recycling bins are available from Waste Management (800-964-8988) or home.wm.com/berwyn for clean recyclable items such as aluminum cans, glass bottles and jars, tin cans, magazines and newspapers. Pick-up is the same day as garbage pick-up. Yard waste, including grass clippings and leaves, may be placed in large brown paper bags, or in your own plastic garbage cans (32 gallons or less in size) identified with a Yard Waste sticker (provided free at City Hall). Yard waste is picked up from April 1 through December 31. Do not rake leaves into the street as they block storm drain sewers and damage street sweepers. This violates Berwyn City Ordinance 672.04 and may result in a ticket with a fine up to $750. Recycling items must be placed loosely in recycling bin.

Snow Removal

It is the homeowner’s responsibility to maintain all surrounding walkways to be clear of snow. Snow should not be shoveled into the street, alley, onto a fire hydrant or any other City property. For snow emergency information, call 708-749-6514 Parking on a snow route after 6 inches of accumulated snow has fallen is strictly prohibited. The parking ban will remain in effect until the snow has been completely removed from curb to curb. Snow routes are signed accordingly. Always follow all signage on a snow route. Your vehicle will be ticketed and/ or towed if it is parked on a snow route. The following streets are snow routes—(East-West): Roosevelt Rd, 16th St, Cermak Rd, 26th St, Riverside Dr, 31st St, Stanley Ave, Windsor Ave, 34th St, Ogden Ave and Pershing Rd. (North-South): Harlem Ave, Home Ave, Oak Park Ave, East Ave and Ridgeland Ave.

Snow removal for residential streets will follow the street maintenance schedule. It is the responsibility of you and/or any visitor of your residence to be aware of the signage posted near your home. No parking for your side of the street will be strictly enforced from 9AM to 4PM or as posted. This will allow for additional street cleaning and snow removal passes, as well as regular maintenance activities. If you are towed, contact the Police Communication Center at 708-795-5600

STREET & SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE

Residential Flood Mitigation Program

For information on the City’s Residential Flood Mitigation Program and Downspout Disconnection Assistance Program, please visit: Berwyn-IL.gov/community-guide/newresidents-portal/find-flood-information

Sidewalk Replacement Program

If you would like to have the public sidewalk in front of your property replaced, the City of Berwyn is offering a cost share replacement program. Applications open annually in Spring.

Street Maintenance

Residents should be aware of the street maintenance schedule by checking their block’s signage. No parking on your side of the street will be enforced during your regular street maintenance schedule from 9AM to 4PM or as posted. This will allow for additional street cleaning and snow removal passes, as well as regular maintenance activities. For more information, call the Public Works Department at 708-749-4700

Registration

Bicycle Registration

No-fee bicycle registration is taken at the Berwyn Police Department.

Garage Sales

A permit is required to have a house, garage or yard sale, limit two sales/year. The first permit is free and the second costs $20. Signage rules allow you to have two signs on city parkways which may be rented for a $10 deposit/sign. Signs can be displayed between 7AM to 7PM. Sales can be held from 9AM to 5PM. Permits can be obtained at City Hall. Restrictions may apply during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vehicle Stickers

City ordinance requires that any resident owning and/ or operating a car, motorcycle, truck, tractor, bus or RV within the City must obtain a Berwyn vehicle sticker each year. Stickers are renewed annually on June 1 and must be displayed by July 1. New residents must purchase a Berwyn sticker at City Hall or online at berwyn-il.gov/forms within thirty (30) days of residency. Stickers are available online, by mail or in person. If you are seeking a sticker and your vehicle registration matches your current Berwyn address, you will need to show proof of license plate number and a valid driver’s license. If you have recently moved to Berwyn, you must show an updated vehicle registration with the new Berwyn address. Changes to your vehicle registration can be made at the Secretary of State or Currency Exchange.

The fee for passenger cars is $50, motorcycles are $35 and RVs, trucks, tractors and buses are assessed according to class. Seniors aged 65+ years receive one free passenger vehicle sticker per household, and vehicle must be registered in the senior’s name to qualify. Retired veterans receive one free sticker with proper ID or military license plate.

Voter Registration

Residents may register to vote at the Berwyn City Clerk’s office located at 6700 W 26th St in City Hall during normal business hours. Online registration is available at ova.elections.il.gov. Call 708-749-6451 for help.

RESIDENT GUIDE